Sanchez named Spirit Lake police chief

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff writer

SPIRIT LAKE — Spirit Lake didn't have to look far to find its new police chief.

Dennis Sanchez, who has worked for the city's police department for more than three years, was named chief on Friday.

He has been interim chief since Keith Hutcheson resigned in June to become Kootenai County's director of adult misdemeanor probation.

"I've gotten to know the department, city and community and being a bigger part of the department is important to me," he said. "Keith got me interested in the position, so I started to talk to the mayor about it."

Mayor Todd Clary believes Sanchez is a good fit for the department.

"He has a willingness to take on responsibility and commitment to do a good job for Spirit Lake," Clary said.

Clary said two people applied for the position and Sanchez was the only candidate interviewed. Sanchez will make $24 per hour.

Sanchez, 39, graduated from Post Falls High in 1996 and served four years in the Army. He was an officer at Rathdrum for four years and Post Falls 10 years before Spirit Lake. Sanchez was a sergeant at Spirit Lake before being promoted to interim chief.

Sanchez said priorities will be to improve training for officers, the Neighborhood Watch program, community outreach at events and through social media and updating the website.

"I don't believe in being in standing water," he said. "I'm always looking for ways to improve."

Sanchez said crime stats, law enforcement resources and other information will be posted on its website.

"Spirit Lake likes to maintain its small-town feel, which we'll continue to be a part of, but we want to make sure the department is modernized," he said.

Sanchez said there is signage for the Neighborhood Watch program and the department has had training for it, but the program has been relatively inactive and not promoted well.

"There have been significant improvements with the department the past few years and we want to continue in that direction," Sanchez added.

Twin Lakes Elementary is being incorporated into the department's school resource officer program this year through an agreement with the Lakeland Joint School District.

The Spirit Lake Police Department has eight employees.